This month, guest host and executive producer Antonio Caro pulls back the curtain with acclaimed set designer Gerardo Díaz Sánchez—the creative mind shaping this year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards stage. From the show’s guiding theme of gold (not of greed, but reciprocity and ancestral respect) to designing a world that works both live and on TV, Gerardo breaks down how he turns stories into spaces, memory into architecture, and heritage into design.

From the Andes to the world: this month, we bring you the story of Quechua singer, rapper, and activist Renata Flores—a journey of rhythm, resistance, and reclamation straight from the mountains of Ayacucho, Peru. This episode of Fritanga features an English-language introduction, followed by a powerful conversation in Spanish with the viral artist redefining Latin music and honoring Indigenous identity by bringing Quechua to the world stage.

What does the American Dream sound like? In this special Fourth of July episode of Fritanga, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with one of the composers of that dream: Emilio Estefan. Long before he became a 19-time Grammy-winning producer, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and one of the most influential Latino cultural architects of our time, Emilio was an 11-year-old Cuban boy arriving in Miami with an accordion, no money, and a belief in something bigger. A belief in this country. In music. In himself.

In this episode, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with award-winning writer, filmmaker, and cultural storyteller Alberto Ferreras for an unforgettable conversation about art, identity, and the power of storytelling. From the groundbreaking Habla series to working with Madonna (yes, THE Madonna), Alberto reflects on the spiritual power of creativity, queer and immigrant narratives, and how art connects us all. Released as we kick off World Pride 2025 in Washington, D.C. next week, this episode is both celebration and call to unity. Tune in for laughs, wisdom, and a reminder that our stories are our strength.

Season 4 of the Fritanga Podcast kicks off with a full-circle conversation about hustle, identity, and building a fintech company rooted in community. Richie Serna and Emmanuel Pleitez—both past Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) Youth Awardees—are now leading one of the most exciting startups in tech: Finix.

Welcome back, familia! We're excited to kick off the year with an inspiring conversation featuring Marissa Solis, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL. From her roots in Mexico to leading one of the world’s most iconic brands, Marissa shares her bold vision to future-proof the NFL, ensuring it stays relevant to younger and more diverse audiences.

In this heartfelt episode of Fritanga, we dive into the profound challenges of caregiving within Latino families. Host Antonio Tijerino shares personal reflections on the weight of caregiving, recalling his experience with his late mother and aging father. Joined by Yvette Peña, VP of Audience Strategy at AARP, Adrian Gaston Garcia, a queer Latine storyteller, and Alejandra Castillo, Fellow in Residence at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, we explore the emotional, mental, and financial strains that come with caring for our aging loved ones.

In this month’s episode, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with Jonathan Jayes-Green (they/them), a trailblazing LGBTQ+ non-binary Afro-Latinx activist and advocate for justice. Jonathan shares their deeply personal journey of returning to Panama after nearly 20 years in the U.S., reflecting on the healing, reconnection, and self-discovery that accompanied this transformative experience. Jonathan also opens up about the challenges of navigating multiple intersecting identities—Black, Latinx, queer—and the societal pressures that come with them. They offer powerful insights into the realities of racism and classism, both in the U.S. and Latin America, and discuss the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities.

Before J-Lo and Shakira, there was the one and only Lisa Lisa. This month, the queen of freestyle music and the first Puerto Rican and Latina artist to break into the pop and R&B charts, joins the Fritanga podcast to share her journey from Hell's Kitchen to global stardom. Alongside actress Judy Reyes, she discusses the impact of her music, her influence on fashion and culture, and the challenges she overcame in a male-dominated industry. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with a true cultural icon!

Join host Antonio Tijerino on this special episode Fritanga featuring Luis and Roberto Clemente Jr., and Thomas Brasuell, President of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Together, they discuss the life and legacy of the Great One: Roberto Clemente.

Welcome back to the Fritanga Podcast by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. In this week’s episode, we explore the urgent need for immigration reform to address the ongoing migrant crisis at the border. Joining us is Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. On the pod we discuss, the humanitarian crisis from a broken immigration system, the global scale of displacement and increasing migration due to climate change and political instability, and the the role of refugee resettlement and a robust asylum system.

As Latinos, entrepreneurship is in our blood. With nearly one in four new businesses being Hispanic-owned, the future of America is in our hands. In this week's episode, we welcome Isabel Casilla Guzman, the 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the highest-ranking Latina in President Biden's cabinet.

On this month's episode of Fritanga, we dive into the complex journey of mental health, emphasizing the importance of resilience, hope, and self-care within the Latine community. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with two inspiring figures, Curly Velasquez and Cheryl Aguilar, to chat about cultural, systemic, and individual barriers to mental health, including stigma, language barriers, and access to care.

This week on the Fritanga podcast, we delve into the inspirational journey of Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut in space. From her groundbreaking achievements to her advocacy for STEM education and diversity, Dr. Ochoa's story is one of grit, passion, and breaking barriers. Tune in to discover how she shattered stereotypes, logged nearly 1,000 hours in orbit, and continues to inspire the next generation to explore their potential in the sciences - including her recent work with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Minecraft Education on Latinexplorers 2.

On this special Madre Tierra episode, host Antonio Tijerino welcomes visionary advocate for environmental justice, Mark Magaña, Founding President and CEO of GreenLatinos. Mark discusses the disproportionate impact of climate change on the Latino community and emphasizes the importance of taking action to combat these effects. He calls on listeners to join the fight for environmental liberation and highlights the need for collective action to protect the planet for future generations.

Welcome back to Fritanga! In season 3, we're thrilled to continue hosting powerful voices from our community and beyond as we explore what makes us complicatedly compelling and beautiful as Latinos and how we can move forward with greater unity. In this episode, host Antonio Tijerino is joined by 3 inspiring Afro-Latino leaders for a roundtable conversation about identity, discrimination, and navigating the complexities of being Black and Latino during these turbulent but hopeful times.

In our Season 2 finale of Fritanga, we dive into the world of flavors, humanity, self-care, and traditions with the culinary maestra who has captivated us through her delicious dishes and empowered thousands through her advocacy: Ingrid Hoffmann.

In this episode of Fritanga, Antonio Tijerino kicks it with "El Padrino" of alternative Latino music, Felix Contreras. As the co-creator and co-host of Alt.Latino, the groundbreaking NPR radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture, Felix's work with NPR has introduced some of the most unique, indie musicians to mainstream radio, while also showcasing chart-toppers like Kali Uchis and Becky G. Join us as we explore Felix's career, from being an early Latino journalist in Sacramento to a leading voice in today's dynamic Latin music landscape. Antonio and we'll revisit timeless classics and explore artists pushing musical boundaries today.

"I've always felt ni de aqui, ni de alla, that feeling will never go away. I think that kind of makes us superheroes - able to navigate one culture and another." - Mariana Atencio. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month familia! This month, the Peabody Award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and viral speaker, Mariana Atencio joins Fritanga to talk about her journey through identity, navigating imposter syndrome, facing microaggressions in the workforce, and ultimately feeling fulfilled being yourself.

"More than 58% of Latinos are under the age of 34...You want to build a relationship to help carry your brand through the next 20 years." On this month's episode of Fritanga, host Antonio Tijerino is joined by Stacie de Armas, Senior Vice President of Inclusive Insights and Initiatives at Nielsen, to discuss the crucial topic of Latino representation in media and entertainment. With over 20 years of experience, Stacie is a leading expert in shaping diversity and inclusion narratives in media. Tune in to learn insights on data collection methodology, the evolving habits of Latino viewers, and the impact of changing media platforms.